McGee will start at quarterback Thursday night

All that talk about playing the starters in the preseason finale apparently was much ado about nothing.

As has been the norm since Wade Phillips became head coach in 2007, most of the Cowboys starters will sit out Thursday night’s game against Miami.

That means third-stringer Stephen McGee will start at quarterback.

Phillips suggested that no matter what McGee does he likely will remain part of the 53-man opening day roster.

“He made a step forward (in the preseason),” Phillips said of the Texas A&M alum. “We’ve seen it in the last couple of games and as training camp went on. He seems to be a little more comfortable in this pro-type offense.

“We all know it takes quarterbacks a while (to develop). But we want to give him this opportunity to go out there and do what he can do and prepare.”